Laura's Graduation

After attending Matt's graduation, we split up and grabbed lunch, and then we came back for more! At Laura's graduation, we were able to anticipate the punch lines of the speakers! - But I actually thought the speakers did a good job, and they kept their speeches nice and short.

The processional

Matt is so happy for and proud of his sweet wife!

Some of the gang - hanging out for round 2

It's Laura's turn!

They called her name!

The best picture I could get of her on the big screen. - My camera didn't focus in time for a better picture.

Shaking hands

Yay, Laura!

The Tech Seal

The recessional!

The family pictures, once again:








I guess Marcus liked Laura's tassel!











Tech grads from our side

All the Tech grads who were there to celebrate with Laura and Matt -I think that's pretty awesome!

Claire isn't pictured in these pictures because, thankfully, a friend of mine from when I went to school at Tech, watched Claire for me during the afternoon. And actually, I put Claire down for a nap at her house, and she didn't wake up while I was gone! So I got her up from her nap, too. But it was wonderful that I didn't have to juggle a tired-&-cranky toddler at a 2nd-of-the-day graduation. - Thanks, Sarah!

Matt's Graduation

Now that I have more time, here's a full-length post on Matt's graduation! - And when I say full-length, I mean super full-length! There were many people there from Matt's side of the family and from Laura's side of the family. Hooray for celebrations!

Matt looking at us from his seat

They got to move their tassels!

Matt waiting in line for his name to be called

Big smile!

Solid handshake!

Taylor enjoyed it...

Recessional - that's exciting, too!
The family pictures outside:














Tech Grads from Matt's side


A friend





Tech Grads from our side!


Claire had a great time playing with Matt's sister, Abbi, while I was taking pictures. At the end of the picture taking, I had Claire say thank you to Abbi. Every now and then, Claire will randomly say, "Thank you, Abbi," as we are around the house!

Smokestack

{More backtracking here!}

On our way to Lubbock for Laura and Matt's graduations, we stopped in Thurber, TX, to eat breakfast at the Smokestack Restaurant. It's a favorite view from the road, so it was fun to stop there. And just across a little street from the restaurant is the actual smokestack, which, naturally, is a great place to take some pictures! :-)

21 Month Stats

Last week I kept thinking that Claire was better, but every afternoon she seemed to have some sort of meltdown. I attributed it to her not being quite well yet. I was able to take her to the doctor today, and sure enough, she has a virus that's been going around. {I'm so glad we decided to have her stay home from church so that she didn't have any chance of sharing her virus with the other kids in nursery!} Now that I'm aware of that, hopefully she really WILL get better soon!

Claire's doctor visit today gave us her 21 months stats:
28 pounds
34 inches tall
18.5 inch head circumference

Friends At Last!

My friends Mandi and Arnold and their kids, Sam, Marie, and Elizabeth, came to Houston from Germany for a visit, so I went to Houston to visit them! We had a short, lively visit with all of our kiddos around, but it was wonderful! Reconnecting is always so fun!

Claire immediately took to Sam and Marie, since they were playing outside.

Marie seemed to enjoy having Claire to play with, too!

Mandi and the youngest, Elizabeth

That evening, Mandi's dad took us out to Spring Creek BBQ. - Thanks, Gary! We got a group picture, but I had already put Claire in the car.

Thanks for letting me stop in and say hello!